Clippers face Warriors seeking back-to-back wins

OAKLAND, California (AP) -- Los Angeles is one of the
lowest-scoring teams in the NBA, but the way Golden State has
been playing defense, even the Clippers could put on a shooting
clinic in this matchup.

Los Angeles looks for back-to-back wins Tuesday night at Oracle
Arena, where the Warriors try to rebound from one of their worst
defensive efforts in years.

The Clippers snapped a seven-game slide Sunday, 107-105 over New
Jersey as Steve Novak nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Los
Angeles had dropped five straight at home before the first-year
Clipper drained his career-high seventh 3-pointer.

"With a shot like that, your nerves are so high and you never
know if it's good until you see it go in the basket," said
Novak, who hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points in the
Clippers' last visit to Golden State - a 107-92 loss on January
25.

Los Angeles, averaging just 95.0 points, made 50 percent
(40-of-80) from the field against the Nets after shooting 42.9
during its seven-game losing streak from February 27-March 14.

Baron Davis posted his second consecutive double-double Sunday
with 20 points and 10 assists. In two games against Golden State
this season, Davis is averaging 25.0 points, 10.5 assists and
6.5 rebounds as the teams have split these matchups in Los
Angeles.

After missing the January 25 loss at Golden State with a bruised
tailbone, Davis will play his first game at Oracle Arena since
opting out of the final year of his contract with the Warriors
last offseason to sign a five-year, $65 million deal with the
Clippers.

Al Thornton looks to continue his solid play after missing three
games in late-February with a sore right foot, including the
Clippers' 118-105 win over the Warriors on February 23 that
snapped Los Angeles' five-game slide to its Pacific Division
foe.

Thornton is averaging 21.0 points and 9.0 boards in his last two
games at Golden State.

The second-year forward could have another big night Tuesday
after Warriors forward Stephen Jackson was suspended for one
game Monday for picking up his 16th technical of the season.
Jackson, averaging a team-high 21.2 points, was ejected after
picking up two technicals in Sunday's 154-130 loss to Phoenix
that eliminated Golden State from playoff contention.

It was the most points allowed by any NBA team in 2008-09.

Warriors coach Don Nelson was also ejected in the third quarter
as Golden State gave up its most points since a 162-158 loss at
Denver on November 2, 1990.

The Warriors are allowing a league-worst 112.2 points per game.

"It was bad, man, we can't hide that," said forward Kelenna
Azubuike. "There's no excuse for that kind of performance on
defense. We've got to get better."

Monta Ellis hit 12-of-19 shots and scored 26 against the Suns in
his third straight 19-plus point game since missing seven from
February 23-March 7 due to a family issue.

Andris Biedrins missed Sunday's game and out for at least one
week after spraining his left ankle in Friday's 119-110 victory
over Dallas.

Zach Randolph could return to the Clippers' lineup after missing
the past two games due to his father's death.